The Legislative Council reviewed the Plastic Shopping Bag (PSB) Charging Scheme and the Producer Responsibility Scheme on Glass Beverage Containers (GPRS) recently. On the former, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) proposed to double the $0.50 PSB levy and remove exemptions for frozen/chilled goods and some non-airtight packaged foodstuff. For the latter, EPD suggested fixing a $0.98 levy per litre-volume of beverage products.

Dah Sing Bank, Limited (“Dah Sing Bank”) and Friends of the Earth (HK) have jointly launched the "SME ESG Best Practices Recognition Programme" ("the Programme") today. The Programme encourages SMEs to adopt best practices in environmental, social and governance (ESG), enhancing their competitiveness while achieving sustainable development. The major initiative at today's kick-off ceremony was the "Partnership Commitment Signing Ceremony" to mark the contribution to the realisation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG). The Programme is the first ESG Recognition Programme targeting SMEs in specific industries. It is also one of the highlights of Dah Sing Bank’s 75th anniversary celebrations this year.

The Panel on Environmental Affairs reviews Hong Kong’s air quality and progress of improvement measures today. Air pollution is the world’s top killer, responsible for 6.7 million avoidable deaths a year. In addition to early death, it burdens the public health system through doctor visits and hospitalisations. One in ten Hong Kong children is affected by asthma.

The Panel on Environmental Affairs today reviewed the “Report on Public Engagement on Control of Single-use Plastics” published by the Council on Sustainable Development (SDC) earlier this month. In it, the SDC put forth 24 recommendations across five areas from implementing new control measures to enhancing education and more.

In support of Earth Day, Friends of the Earth (HK) and Financial Services Development Council today jointly organized the annual forum "Earth Forum 2022" with the theme "The Prospect of Hong Kong Climate Exchange". The forum was held in the form of focus group discussion with Mr. Joseph Chan, JP, Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of the Hong Kong SAR government as its officiating guest. Representatives from Hong Kong regulators, carbon trading experts, environmental scholars and Mainland policy makers were invited to discuss the prerequisites for the establishment of a Hong Kong Climate Exchange and the prospects for cross-border cooperation between the Mainland and Hong Kong, and to analyze the future opportunities of carbon finance development in Hong Kong.

In the third part of the climate report released this month, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) stressed that if the world does not make immediate and deep cuts to emissions, limiting global warming to 1.5°C will be beyond reach. The Hong Kong government must demonstrate determination and accelerate the implementation of a strong climate strategy to achieve carbon neutrality.

The Green and Sustainable Finance Cross-Agency Steering Group (Steering Group) today published its preliminary feasibility assessment of carbon market opportunities for Hong Kong. Friends of the Earth (HK) supports the Steering Group’s recommendations to develop Hong Kong into a regional carbon trading centre. Friends of the Earth (HK) believes the unique position of Hong Kong can be of great advantage to collaborate with the Guangzhou Futures Exchange on carbon market development and act as the Mainland's offshore risk management centre. In particular, the potential establishment of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Unified Carbon Market could encourage more listed companies and international companies to freely purchase high-quality voluntary emission reduction credits through the carbon trading platform in Hong Kong to offset their carbon emissions.

The Panel on Environmental Affairs reviewed the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO) today. Friends of the Earth (HK) supports the government’s intent to integrate smart platforms and big data analysis into the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process and develop an open centralised environmental database (CED), allowing for consultants, academics and the public to reference and study. Friends of the Earth (HK) stresses that every step of the EIA is important. The government should not skimp on details to optimise the process, else the EIA will become a rubber stamp.

The Financial Secretary delivered the final budget of his term. While it is no surprise that the focus of the 2022-23 Budget is on the latest virus surge, Friends of the Earth (HK) welcomes the issuance of green bonds for institutional investors and the general public to support green projects, the injection of an additional HK$1.5 billion to expand electric car charging in residential buildings, as well as the enhancement of coastal adaptation to climate change. Friends of the Earth (HK) is still disappointed over the lack of government-led efforts on decarbonisation.

Hong Kong continues to be beset by the ongoing pandemic, but COVID-19 is not the only crisis that the city is facing. Climate change, waste crisis, and air pollution still pose a threat to the health and livelihood of Hong Kong citizens. Hong Kong is lagging behind many international cities in the realms of climate actions and environmental protection. Friends of the Earth (HK) recommends the Financial Secretary to enable Hong Kong’s sustainable development with the following measures: